Welcome to the vibrant city of Zaragoza, where the centenary of the priestly ordination of Saint Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei, is being commemorated in a grand way. More than 300 priests and seminarians have come together to honor Saint Josemaría’s deep Aragonese roots and the enduring impact of his charism.
The opening event, organized by the Alacet Priestly Library in collaboration with the CARF Foundation, saw the participation of esteemed figures such as Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Archbishop Carlos Escribano of Zaragoza, Prelate Fernando Ocáriz of Opus Dei, and historian José Luis González Gullón.
Archbishop Escribano reflected on the significance of St. Josemaría’s ordination on March 28, 1925, as a transformative moment ordained by the Holy Spirit. He highlighted how the spirituality of Saint Josemaría continues to enrich the ministry of diocesan priests, serving as a gift to the Church and the world.
Priest, Man of Mercy
Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, in his first visit to Zaragoza, emphasized the priest as a man of mercy and compassion, echoing Pope Francis. He stressed the importance of priests being servants of all, combining their vocation with the witness of the word, sacraments, and charity, as articulated by St. Josemaría.
Prayer at St. Charles
Prelate Fernando Ocáriz recounted St. Josemaría’s nights of prayer at the Seminary of St. Charles, highlighting the priest’s mission of pastoral charity and mercifully welcoming those seeking reconciliation. The day also featured testimonies from priests with diverse missions around the world.
Prayer Vigil and Commemorative Eucharist
The day ended with a prayer vigil for priestly vocations at the church of the Royal Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, with a Eucharist to be celebrated today. Tomorrow, a tribute to St. Josemaría’s early ministerial steps will take place in Perdiguera, including the inauguration of the “Replaceta de Mosén Josemaría Escrivá” and a roundtable discussion on his legacy.
